Docklands

Docklands lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

As of May 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Docklands is around 19,151, reflecting a 3,656 person increase since the 2021 Census. This growth represents a 23.6% rise from the previous population count of 15,495 people. The latest ABS data release in June 2025 and validation of new addresses by AreaSearch contributed to this estimate. With a population density of 6,079 persons per square kilometer, Docklands ranks in the top 10% nationally according to AreaSearch. This high demand for land has been driven primarily by overseas migration, contributing approximately 87.0% of overall population gains recently. AreaSearch projections, based on ABS/Geoscience Australia data from 2024 with a 2022 base year and VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections adjusted to SA2 levels in 2023, forecast significant growth for Docklands by 2041.

The suburb is projected to expand by 9,975 persons over this period, reflecting a total gain of 52.1%.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Docklands among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, Docklands averaged approximately 822 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years. This totals an estimated 4,111 homes. As of FY-26, 1,306 approvals have been recorded. On average, between FY-21 and FY-25, 0.5 new residents arrived per year for each new home approved.

New construction is matching or outpacing demand, offering buyers more options while enabling population growth that could exceed current expectations. The average expected construction cost value of new properties is $680,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. In FY-26, $1.074 billion in commercial development approvals have been recorded, demonstrating high levels of local commercial activity.

Recent development has consisted entirely of medium and high-density housing, creating more affordable entry points for downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. With approximately 13 people per dwelling approval, Docklands exhibits characteristics of a growth area. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Docklands is projected to add 9,975 residents by 2041. Given current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Docklands has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 86 projects likely impacting the area. Notable projects are Elysium Fields, Victoria Harbour Precinct, Collins Wharf - Final Three Towers, and Sento. The following details projects likely most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Docklands performing better than 85% of local markets assessed across Australia

Docklands has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. The unemployment rate is 2.3% as of the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 4.3%. As of December 2025, 13,733 residents are employed, and the unemployment rate is 2.4%, below Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%.

Workforce participation in Docklands is 78.8% compared to Greater Melbourne's 69.9%. According to Census responses, 50.3% of residents work from home, potentially impacted by Covid-19 lockdowns. Leading employment industries include professional & technical services, finance & insurance, and accommodation & food services. Docklands has a specialization in professional & technical services with an employment share 2.3 times the regional level, while health care & social assistance has limited presence at 7.6% compared to the regional 14.2%.

There are 5.7 workers per resident as of the Census, indicating it functions as an employment hub attracting workers from surrounding areas. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment increased by 4.3%, labour force by 4.7%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 0.4 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Melbourne saw employment grow by 2.4%, labour force expand by 2.8%, and unemployment rise by 0.3 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia for May-25 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying rates across industry sectors. Applying these projections to Docklands' employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.2% over five years and 14.3% over ten years.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

The suburb of Docklands has one of the highest income levels in Australia, based on the latest data from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2023. The median income among taxpayers in Docklands is $59,022, with an average income of $81,097. These figures compare to those for Greater Melbourne, which are $57,688 and $75,164 respectively. Using the Wage Price Index growth rate of 9.62% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes for March 2026 would be approximately $64,700 (median) and $88,899 (average). According to Census 2021 income data, individual earnings in Docklands rank at the 90th percentile nationally ($1,182 weekly), while household income ranks at the 63rd percentile. Income analysis shows that 35.4% of the population (6,779 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range, similar to the metropolitan region where 32.8% occupy this bracket. High housing costs consume 18.8% of income in Docklands, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 59th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

Docklands features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Docklands' dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, was 0.5% houses and 99.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other'). Melbourne metro had 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Docklands was 12.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 18.6% and rented at 68.8%. Median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, aligning with Melbourne metro's average. Median weekly rent was $411, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Docklands' mortgage repayments exceeded the Australian average of $1,863, while rents surpassed the national figure of $375.

Docklands features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 51.5% of all households, including 12.4% couples with children, 33.4% couples without children, and 3.8% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 48.5%, with lone person households at 39.4% and group households comprising 9.1%. The median household size is 1.8 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

Educational achievement in Docklands places it within the top 10% nationally, reflecting strong academic performance and high qualification levels across the community

Docklands residents aged 15 and above have a higher university qualification rate of 64.9%, compared to the Australian average of 30.4% and the Victorian average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 39.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (21.9%) and graduate diplomas (3.2%). Vocational pathways account for 18.0% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas making up 10.0% and certificates 8.0%. Educational participation is high, with 30.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 15.1% in tertiary education, 3.1% in primary education, and 1.6% pursuing secondary education.

Transport servicing is high compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Docklands has 61 active public transport stops operating within its boundaries. These include train stations, light rail stops, and bus terminals. They are served by a total of 76 individual routes that facilitate 34,456 weekly passenger trips combined. The area's transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located just 119 meters from their nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward for work or other purposes. Car remains the dominant mode of transportation at 37%, followed by walking at 16% and train use at 14%.

On average, each dwelling owns 0.3 vehicles, which is below the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, a high proportion of residents work from home, with 50.3% doing so, possibly due to COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency across all routes averages 4,922 trips per day, equating to approximately 564 weekly trips per individual stop.

Docklands's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Docklands' health outcomes show excellent results based on AreaSearch's analysis of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. The area has a very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups.

Approximately 59% of Docklands residents have private health cover, higher than Greater Melbourne's 56.7%. Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions, affecting 5.1 and 4.6% of residents respectively. 84.4% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 72.6% in Greater Melbourne. Docklands has 7.7% of residents aged 65 and over (1,474 people), lower than Greater Melbourne's 15.0%. Health outcomes among seniors in Docklands are strong, aligning with national rankings for the general population.

Docklands is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Docklands has a high level of cultural diversity, with 58.7% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 67.4% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Docklands, accounting for 27.5% of people. Hinduism is significantly overrepresented compared to the Greater Melbourne average, comprising 14.6% of Docklands' population.

The top three ancestry groups are Chinese (19.8%), Other (18.9%), and English (13.8%). Notably, Indian (11.7%), Korean (1.9%), and Russian (0.7%) ethnicities are also overrepresented compared to regional averages.

Docklands hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Docklands has a median age of 33, which is younger than Greater Melbourne's figure of 37 and Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Docklands has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (36.2%), but fewer residents aged 5-14 (3.6%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is significantly higher than the national figure of 14.6%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the population aged 35 to 44 has grown from 18.7% to 20.1%, while the 25 to 34 age group has declined from 39.0% to 36.2%. The 0 to 4 age group has also decreased, from 4.5% to 3.3%. Population projections for 2041 indicate substantial demographic shifts in Docklands. Notably, the 25 to 34 age cohort is expected to grow by 32%, adding 2,250 residents to reach a total of 9,183.